This was Television on February 20

2009: Conan O’Brien departs Late Night

After more than 15 years at the helm Late Night, Conan O’Brien hosted his final installment before succeeding Jay Leno as host of its legendary lead-in, The Tonight Show. Guests for O’Brien’s goodbye to 12:35 a.m. included Will Ferrell, Abe Vigoda, longtime sidekick Andy Richter, and The White Stripes in one of their final national performances. The Late Night franchise would pass to another Saturday Night Live veteran, Jimmy Fallon, while O’Brien’s tenure at 11:30 p.m. proved to be more tumultuous—and shorter-lived—than his time on the show that made him a star. -A.D.